47-year-old star rules out WWE return; controversially left the company 13 years ago

A lot of prominent names have returned to WWE under the new regime in the last couple of years. However, Gail Kim does not see herself joining the list.

The 47-year-old was part of the global juggernaut for nearly seven years across two different stints. She controversially left the company in 2011 after eliminating herself from a Women's Battle Royal upon being instructed to get eliminated from the match within the first minute.

During a virtual signing on K&S WrestleFest, Gail Kim talked about a potential return to WWE, stressing that the door was now closed.

"I don’t think they [WWE] would have me back [as an in-ring performer]. I mean, there’s a lot of reasons why. I don’t know how much they hold grudges or anything like that."

The former women's champion also discussed her controversial exit from the company, noting that she felt like she needed to take the step.

“Listen, we all grow from your situations and I have grown obviously. I’m a 47-year-old woman now. I was in my early 30s I think then [when I eliminated myself from the Battle Royal] and (…) you know when you care so much about women’s wrestling and it’s just not treated right (…) And I just felt like, 'Oh my God, I gotta get out of here. I only have a certain amount of time.' I was in my 30s. I knew I felt like I was in my prime and I felt like I had more to give to the fans and I was just like, I can’t sign another three-year deal here. I can’t waste three more years of my life and my career and so, yeah, that was the way it just all ended up." (H/T:WrestleTalk)

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Gail Kim joined TNA Wrestling after leaving WWE in 2011

Shortly after leaving the global juggernaut for the second time in 2011, Gail Kim inked a deal with TNA Wrestling. She was a major part of the company's women's division for several years, winning multiple championships along the way.

The 47-year-old announced her retirement in 2017 after winning the Impact Knockouts Championship for a record-breaking seventh time. However, she returned to action a few more times after the announcement.

Kim's last match came in 2023, when she competed in a multi-woman tag team bout. She now takes part in various backstage roles. The veteran was also recently spotted backstage at NXT Battleground.